Asceticism

Colossians 2: 18 - 19 (ESV )

"Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God."

I've been reading the new English Standard Version for daily readings and this was part of today's passage. I find the translation of this verse really interesting, as most versions translate the Greek word, Tapeinophrosune , as humility or lowliness of mind, rather than asceticism. Honestly, I didn't know what asceticism was, so I looked it up :

noun: rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
noun: the doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state

Usually, we think of "humility" as a noble virtue. In fact, Paul uses the same Greek word in Col. 3:12, where we are told to "put on... humility."

However, in the above context, the humility is false. It is asceticism: insisting, or delighting (as the NIV says) in false humility. It is trying to do something right, but under our own strength. It is "pulling yourself up by the bootstraps."

Paul says, "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism...

Sadly, there are so many churches today that preach and teach asceticism.

What a powerful message here, though! The Lord is saying, "Don't try to do it yourself in your own strength, expecting praise for your efforts. You must let God's grace and supernatural ability buoy you up! If you do it "by your own bootstraps," then the glory will belong to you alone. After all, you'd be a "self-made" man.

I think we're tempted to do things that way and then claim that God did them. However, this only brings a partial peace; a partial victory.

I know, however, that it is the experiential knowledge of Truth that sets us free and makes us able to truly have the victory. When Jesus is the one doing the work through us, then our load is effortless. Our task is light. Our burden is easy and we will walk in the spirit of peace and victory!

The only peace, the only joy, the only self-control that I want to have is that given to me by Him. I don't want to do it by myself. My results will only produce asceticism.